Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“What?”
His upper lip curls with disdain. “You heard me.” There’s a pause as he carefully dabs at his nose. “You should have felt honored to be my girlfriend. Instead, you’re like a bitch in heat, panting to spread your legs for Hawthorne trash.” He shrugs. “Now you can have him.”
All at once, it hits me.
Oh my god.
My mind tumbles back to Monday morning and his abrupt change in behavior. It was so out of character that I should have realized it was nothing more than an act. Instead, I’d stupidly believed he felt bad. I could kick myself for being so gullible and falling neatly into his trap.
He shifts, leaning closer. “Except it’s doubtful he’ll want you now.” Venom floods his voice, turning it gleeful.
It would be a lie to say that I never suspected Jasper could be so cruel. It’s the reason I allowed this relationship to linger instead of breaking it off.
Deep down, I realized exactly what he was capable of.
But this…this is on a whole different level.
When I remain silent, he continues, “Just remember that you brought this on yourself. Now, there’s no one to protect you. We both know how dangerous it can be to walk the halls of Hawthorne Prep without allies. Contrary to what I said earlier, we’re not one big happy family. It’s more like a shark-infested tank, and you’re fresh blood, sweetheart.”
My chest constricts, making it difficult to suck in a shuddering breath. What he’s saying is true. I’ve witnessed the depravity with my own eyes over the past three years.
Unwilling to let him see how much his threats have affected me, I straighten my spine and force my chin upward. He’s like a rabid animal, and the smell of my fear will only incite him.
“See you on Monday.” With a grin, he saunters away as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. The soles of his wingtips strike the concrete before fading as he disappears inside.
Once the door closes, I hold my breath captive in my lungs until my vision swims. Just as my head grows light, a burst of air explodes from my lips. There’s no doubt in my mind that Jasper will turn my life into the stuff nightmares are made of. The months stretched out ahead of me now feel like a prison sentence. The thought is enough to have tears pricking the backs of my eyes.
I have no idea how long I stand outside staring into the velvety darkness. When the French doors open and there’s a soft click of heels, I steel myself, unsure who else I’ll have to deal with. I no longer have the energy for it. Mental and physical exhaustion has set in, draining me.
“Delilah?”
My shoulders falter at the sound of Mom’s hesitant voice.
“Are you all right?”
I turn enough to meet her gaze before shaking my head. Even that miniscule movement takes a herculean effort. “No. I’d like to go home now.”
Mom’s lips flatten into a thin line as she nods and opens her arms to me. That’s all the encouragement I need to fly into their comforting strength. And then I’m cocooned in the familiar scent of her perfume. The one she’s worn forever.
When I was a kid and something was wrong, she’d wrap me up in her arms and the soothing floral scent would envelop me. Back then, it was easy to believe that everything would work out the way it was supposed to, and life would carry on in much the same way it once had.
With a sinking heart, I realize that’s no longer possible.
DELILAH
Nerves prickle along my skin as Mom grumbles from the seat beside me and I sneak another peek at my phone.
It’s quarter to seven in the morning.
“Can you drive a little faster?” I ask, wishing she would press the pedal to the metal.
She shoots me a bleary-eyed look that borders on sour. “Why did we have to leave so early? I didn’t get a chance to make a cup of coffee.”
I nibble my lower lip. “I need to talk to someone.”
“School doesn’t even start until half past seven.”
Instead of meeting the questioning gaze she spears me with, I stare straight out the windshield at the passing scenery as the gated property of Hawthorne Prep comes into view. I don’t want to tell her about my plan to speak with Mr. Pembroke before Austin arrives for their meeting.
They must have talked on the phone at some point yesterday, and he filled her in on all the ugly details, because she told me to stay away from him. She reminded me that this wasn’t the first time he'd gotten into a fistfight with Jasper. Even though we’d been alone in our house, she’d dropped her voice to a hushed whisper and told me that he would probably get expelled, since this was his second offense in a matter of months.